U.S. and Cuban government officials met in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday to discuss plans for a human rights dialogue.

According to a statement from the U.S. State Department, which hosted the meeting, diplomatic delegations for both countries met to discuss the "methodology, topic and structure" for the future human rights dialogue.

"The atmosphere of the meeting was professional, and there was broad agreement on the way forward for a future substantive dialogue, the timing and location of which will be determined through diplomatic channels. Each side raised concerns about human rights issues, and both sides expressed willingness to discuss a wide range of topics in future substantive talks," said the statement from the U.S. State Department's Office of the Spokesperson.

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Based on the daily press briefing in the State Department last week, the U.S. delegation was led by Assistant Secretary Tom Malinowski.

"[The] human rights dialogue has been one of the areas that we've agreed with Cuba that we will be discussing, so this is getting that process moving. We had the discussions about information technology and communications.... So this is another element in moving forward our dialogue with Cuba," said Acting Deputy Spokesperson Jeff Rathke on March 27.

U.S. and Cuba delegations have held a few talks, but none have focused on human rights. Most of the discussions have focused on reopening respective embassies and permitting U.S. diplomats to travel in the island. One of the first talks included migration. While the U.S. has reiterated its concerns about human rights in Cuba, Tuesday's meeting was the first in planning a discussion on the topic.

In regards to Cuba's place on the State Sponsor of Terrorism list, the U.S. State Department's review is still underway, and the official stressed the topic should not be linked to the ongoing efforts to reestablish diplomatic relations or reopening of embassies. During the March 27 press briefing, Rathke acknowledged President Barack Obama gave the State Department six months to review Cuba's position on the list.

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